Brighten up any taco night with this Vegan Cilantro Lime Crema that is made without nuts or soy. Zesty lime and cilantro are blended into smooth and creamy plant-based yogurt for a healthy, dairy-free sauce that adds so much flavor to a variety of dishes!

Why You'll Love This Cilantro Lime Sauce

Oil-free: Support health and weight loss goals with this low fat sauce without sacrificing any flavor or creaminess!
Versatile: This creamy dairy-free sauce is great for drizzling on tacos – but don’t stop there! Try it on a taco salad, Buddha bowls, hearty chilis, as a veggie dip, and more.
Perfect for meal-prep: Make a big batch of sauce and use it throughout the week on different dishes.
Quick & Easy: No need to soak any cashews for this recipe. All you need is a few ready-to-use ingredients, a food processor, and 5 minutes.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Plain dairy-free yogurt. Choose any based on your preferences. To keep it cashew and soy-free, opt for a coconut-based vegan yogurt.
Fresh cilantro. Since this is the most flavorful ingredient in the sauce, there is not a substitute. However, dried cilantro leaves may work, but I have not tested it.
Lime juice. Lemon juice can be substitute if needed, but will mildly change the flavor.
Garlic powder. Roasted garlic cloves can also be used for a more depth of flavor.
Cayenne pepper powder. This is optional for a bit of heat.
Salt. Can be omitted depending on your taste preferences for a low-sodium option.

How to Make Vegan Cilantro Lime Crema

Use a mini food processor to blend the dairy-free yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, cayenne (if using), and salt. Blend until well combined and smooth.

Alternative methods:

If you do not have a mini food processor, there are a couple of options. If you have a regular food processor, you can double or triple the batch.
If you do not have a food processor or do not want to make a large batch, you can finely chop the cilantro as much as possible and mix all the ingredients in a bowl or shake them up in a jar with a lid.

Serving Suggestions

This easy cilantro lime sauce pairs well with most Mexican-inspired dishes, but can be used to add flavor to a variety of other dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

As a salad dressing
Drizzled over Sweet Potato Fajitas or Pulled Jackfruit Tacos
As a replacement for sour cream on a plate of vegan nachos (try making nachos with my oil-free Vegan Queso)
In a vegan quesadilla or cheese-less Butternut Squash and Black Bean Quesadillas
As a dip for raw veggies
As a dressing for a grain bowl or Buddha bowl
Dolloped onto a hearty bowl of bean chili

Recipes to Pair with Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce

Whether you’re topping tacos, enchiladas, burrito bowls, or using it as a fresh dip, this vegan cilantro lime crema sauce adds bold flavor without dairy, nuts, or soy. Its creamy texture and vibrant flavor make it an ideal healthy sauce for plant-based and allergy-friendly meals.

Keep a batch in the fridge for easy meal-prep and discover how this simple, homemade cilantro lime sauce can transform your favorite vegan recipes all week long.

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